Brighton's Europa League Hopes on Brink After Roma Thrashing

Mountain to Climb for Seagulls After 4-0 Defeat

Analysis and Reaction to Brighton's Crushing Loss

Brighton & Hove Albion's dreams of glory in the UEFA Europa League were left in tatters after a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of AS Roma in the first leg of their last-16 tie. The emphatic victory at the Stadio Olimpico has left the English Premier League side with an almost insurmountable task when they host the Serie A giants in the second leg at the Amex Stadium on March 16.

Roma took control of the contest within the opening minutes, as Paulo Dybala slotted home from a tight angle before the quarter-hour mark. The deficit was doubled just before halftime when Romelu Lukaku rose highest to power in a header from Leonardo Spinazzola's cross. The hosts extended their lead on the hour mark through Gianluca Mancini, who swept in from close range after Tammy Abraham's shot had rebounded off the post. The icing on the cake came in the 67th minute when Bryan Cristante curled in a stunning effort from the edge of the area.

Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton side struggled to create meaningful opportunities throughout the game, with Danny Welbeck's header in the first half their only real chance. The Seagulls' hopes of mounting a comeback in the second leg now appear slim, with Roma in ominous form and boasting a substantial aggregate advantage.